YouTube says it will soon begin automatically detecting and flagging AI-generated content on its platform, marking a shift from its previous policy that relied on creators to disclose the use of generative AI tools themselves.

In a blog post released on Wednesday, the Google-owned video platform said videos identified as containing “significant photorealistic AI use” will now carry labels for viewers, even if creators fail to disclose it.

“If a creator doesn’t specify whether or not they used AI, but our systems detect significant photorealistic AI use, we will now automatically apply a label,” YouTube stated.

The company first introduced AI disclosure requirements in 2024, asking creators to indicate when generative AI had been used in their content. However, rapid advancements in AI tools capable of producing highly realistic images, videos, and audio have made distinguishing between human-made and AI-generated content increasingly difficult.

Popular AI models such as Google’s Veo 3.1 and Seedance, developed by TikTok parent company ByteDance, have accelerated the spread of photorealistic AI content online.

YouTube added that creators who believe their content was incorrectly flagged will have the option to appeal the labels. The platform also clarified that the AI labels will not affect how videos are recommended to users through its algorithm.

Other digital platforms, including Spotify, have also begun introducing automatic AI-content labeling systems in response to the growing volume of synthetic media circulating online.